Toni Braxton will accompany Bob and Suzanne Wright, the co-founders of Autism Speaks, to light the Empire State Building’s tower blue on April 1 to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day. The lighting, which will also kick off Autism Awareness Month, will occur at 11:15 am EST, so that the building will be lit blue that night.

Braxton was named a national celebrity spokesperson for Autism Speaks in early 2007 by the Wrights after one of her children was diagnosed with the neural development disorder. When she was first named as a spokesperson, Braxton said she was determined to join the organization to help battle the disorder. The Wrights said they were grateful the singer lent her voice for the organization’s mission.

The six-time Grammy winning singer-songwriter is helping Autism Speaks, North America’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, to raise awareness about the disorder. The organization aims to raise money to fund research into autism, including its causes, prevention, treatments and cure. Autism Speaks also advocates for people who have autism and their families.

Written by: Karen Benardello